From left, Dale Gates, Mary Ann Hamilton, Angela James and Nancy Idland practice some clean-up moves in downtown Greenville prior to a walking tour program that begins Saturday.

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GREENVILLE -- Motor ists who zoom by Green ville on Interstate 65 marvel at all the booming businesses popping up like mushrooms.

Such is not the case in the town's central business district where "For Lease" signs dot both sides of Commerce Street.

Many small towns in Alabama and across the country are experiencing the same boom-and-bust scenario, where areas near interstates thrive while downtown areas wither. But Greenville leaders aren't sitting around and waiting for downtown to lie down and die. ...